§ 59. Mr. SHEEHANasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that auxiliary postman James M'Sweeney, of Carriginimma, county Cork, is the local parish secretary of the secret sectarian and political order known as the Board of Erin, A.O.H.; that this man is frequently guilty of neglect of duty in the delivery of letters by attending funerals of the members of his order during official hours, and that meetings of this secret society have been held in the Carriginimma post office belonging to his sister; and, seeing that M'Sweeney organised a political invasion from Macroom and Ballyvourney and other outside districts to the Carriginimma Catholic church on Sunday, 23rd March, which nearly led to a riot in the precincts of the church, will he say whether it is with his sanction that a Post Office official organises church parades of a political nature which are offensive and provocative to the majority of the people of the district?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe postmaster of the district has no knowledge of any incidents such as those mentioned by the hon. Member. Mr. James M'Sweeney is reported to be a satisfactory officer, and no complaint of any neglect of duty on his part or on that of the sub-postmistress of Carriginimma have been received.
§ Mr. SHEEHANWill the right hon. Gentleman reply to the questions on the Paper? He has not replied to a single one of them. He has merely given the state- 995 ment of the postmaster. I want to know whether the statements in the question are facts?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI sent the hon. Member's question for local report, and I have given the hon. Member all the information in my possession. If he desires fuller information I will ask one of the surveying staff to make inquiries.
§ Mr. SHEEHANThe question was put on the Paper a week ago. Did the right hon. Gentleman institute any inquiries locally, or did he simply ask the people whether the facts stated in the question were correct or otherwise?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe postmaster reported to his superior officer, who reported to me, that he had no such information whatever.
§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENDoes the right hon. Gentlemen know whether he can reply upon the information received from members of this order? Is he not aware that the National President of this society stated in this House that the members are bound by a solemn obligation not to reveal the secrets of the order?
§ Mr. SHEEHANI will repeat the question on Thursday.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIf the hon. Member will allow a little longer interval I will ask one of the officers of the Surveying Department to make inquiries.
§ Mr. W. O'BRIENWill the right hon. Gentleman reply to my question? It is of an extremely important character. This is a secret society with 100,000 members.
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am not aware of that.